Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Patient-Facing Digital Platform for Health Literacy and Numeracy
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.
Patent Application No.
16/142,911, filed 09-26-2018. This application claims priority to provisional
application No.
#62/691,310, filed 06-28-2018.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to systems and methods of clarifying health
information and
more particularly to clarifying, translating or simplifying medical
information for laypersons.
CPC schemes may include: Patient record management; Office automation, e.g.
computer aided
management of electronic mail or groupware; Time management, e.g. calendars,
reminders,
meetings or time accounting; Social work; ICT specially adapted for the
handling or processing
of patient-related medical or healthcare data for patient-specific data, e.g.
for electronic patient
records; and Computer-assisted prescription or delivery of medication, e.g.
prescription filling or
compliance checking.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Most patients in the United States lack sufficient understanding of
the health
information around their diagnoses and conditions. Health information includes
prescription
dosages and instructions; lab reports; patient literature; prescribed
medications; over-the-counter
medications; street drugs; possible interactions between drugs and with
certain foods, alcohol;
and warnings and side effects.
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[0004] According to Communicate Health (communicatehealth.com), "Only 10%
of adults
have the skills needed to use health information." The remaining 90% lack the
knowledge to
understand and con textualize health information, The Healthcare Information
and Management
Systems Society states that "The ability to contextualize health information
is a learned behavior;
acquired through formal instruction or in medical/nursing school. Poor health
numeracy and
literacy skills are exacerbated by the lack of patient health education,
customarily provided by
registered nurses, However, due to financial constraints and a general nursing
shortage, often
nurses have no time to provide health education to patients. As a result, the
interpretation and
contextualization of health data is predominately performed by the clinicians
(MD, NP, PA),
who spend less than ten minutes face-to-face with their patients, leaving
little time for education
and dialog." As a result, patients find themselves unable to make informed
decisions about
dosage, or to adhere to a prescription regimen.
[0005] Americans of various educational levels face difficulty
understanding written
instructions or warning labels. For example, a patient may not know that the
written prescription
instructions "Take 3 times per day" actually means "Take every 8 hours."
Patients may also be
unable to fully understand the implications of their diagnoses or health
conditions, and may
consequently fail to make appropriate lifestyle and behavioral decisions. The
result is worsening
conditions and, in the language of hospital administrators, poor patient
outcomes.
[0006] Healthcare consumers depend on clinicians or pharmacists to identify
medication
interactions and/or contraindications. When that fails, there is no easily
accessible and reliable
tool that interprets and/or clarifies medication instructions and
interactions.
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[0007] According to a recent study published in the journal Clinical
Toxicology, "There is
room for improvement in product packaging and labeling. Dosing instructions
could be made
clearer, especially for patients and caregivers with limited literacy or
numeracy. One-third of
medication errors resulted in hospital admission." Studies have shown that
patients with poor
literacy have difficulty understanding medication labels.
[0008] The problem is more acute among low-literacy patients and patients
for whom
English is a second language. This sector struggles to interpret health data
much more than those
versed in healthcare or those fluent in English,
[0009] According to Univision, the Hispanic population alone accounts for
over $23 billion
in prescription drug sales in the United States annually, yet few, if any,
pharmacy chains
translate the medication labels or instructions to Spanish. The U.S. Federal
government does not
require pharmacies to translate prescription medication labels for non-English
speakers. There is
no easily accessible and reliable tool that translates, interprets and/or
clarifies medication
instructions and interactions for Limited-English-Speaking Patients (LEP) or
those who do not
speak English.
[0010] Non-prescription or "street" drugs and/or alcohol are sometimes
taken simultaneously
with prescription drugs. Most patients are unaware that any two of these drugs
may interact,
sometimes dangerously. Nor are patients aware that street drugs and alcohol
may interact with
each other, or be contraindicated with an existing health condition. Increased
cannabis use in
states where it has been legalized warrants assessment of contraindications
and interactions with
other drugs. The use of opioids presents an additional example of the use of
non-prescription
drugs.
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[0011] Polypharmacy is the concurrent use of multiple medications by a
patient. In a 2014
report the National Institutes of Health (NIII) stated that "polypharmacy,
defined as the use of
multiple drugs or more than are medically necessary, is a growing concern for
older adults."
Older adults with cognitive decline are particularly vulnerable to incorrect
medication self-
administration. According to the NEH, "Specifically, the burden of taking
multiple medications
has been associated with greater health care costs and an increased risk of
adverse drug events
(ADEs), drug-interactions, medication non-adherence, reduced functional
capacity and multiple
geriatric syndromes."
[0012] Health literacy is the ability to grasp and interpret health
information and data to
make health decisions. Health literacy includes the elements of aural
literacy, print literacy,
numeracy and eHealth literacy. Aural literacy is the ability to understand
what is heard. Print
literacy is the ability to understand the written word or to write Numeracy is
the ability to
understand numerals, calculations, logic and interpretation of numerical
content. E-Health
literacy refers to the ability to navigate web-based and computer-based
content.
[0013] Numeracy, in general, refers to the ability to use mathematical
concepts and
methods. Innumeracy, in general, refers to the inability to use mathematical
concepts and
methods.
[0014] Health numeracy is the capacity to access, understand, process and
interpret data in
order to manage one's health or to make health-related decisions.
[0015] The self-management of chronic disease requires adequate health-
numeracy skills.
Health innumeracy may result in a patient's inability to interpret and
contextualize data about
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their health; a difficulty making informed decisions, which can lead to a
worsening of symptoms
or health conditions.
[0016] In the context of this disclosure, "medication" refers to vitamin
supplements, over-
the-counter (OTC) medications and prescription medications. "Substance" refers
to any non-
prescription medication; alcohol; street drug; legal or illegal drug.
[0017] A "machine-readable medium storing a program for execution by
processor unit of a
device" is commonly referred to as an application or app. Hundreds of apps
offer health
information and maintenance, but each app is specialized and limited by health
condition. For
example, blood-pressure monitoring, glucose-level monitoring, calorie counting
or exercise
regimentation apps are abundant in the field, but none provide qualitative or
quantitative
interpretation of health values or medications nor do they warn against
potential interactions.
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SUMMARY
[0018] Q2Q is a patient-facing digital platform accessible via a
smartphone, tablet and
computer that helps people access, interpret, process and contextualize
personal health data so
that they may manage their health conditions. The platform interprets and
simplifies personal
health data such as vital signs and lab results; converts health data into
simple, color-coded
illustrations; and explains particular health information through animated
videos. It checks for
medication interactions between prescribed drugs and "street" drugs such as
cannabis and
opioids, as well as food, alcohol and other substance interactions; interprets
nutrition labels as
they relate to chronic conditions; suggests comparable medication alternatives
to contraindicated
medicines or substances; and translates medication information into various
languages.
[0019] The platform returns information about drugs, interactions, side
effects and
prescription dosages, as well as information about chronic or acute health
conditions. It offers
relevant health education "explainer" videos about lab results and vital signs
as well as evidence-
based, relevant health education with behavioral, lifestyle and dietary
suggestions. In instances
of dangerous interactions or dosages the app emits audio warnings.
[0020] Q2Q integrates with electronic medical records (EMRs) through their
APIs and via
secure login.
[0021] Q2Q's "dashboard" window includes health numbers such as past lab
values as well
as current medications that may be downloaded from the patient's electronic
health record.
[0022] In some embodiments the platform includes a program for receiving
input in various
ways, including:
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[0023] Manual entry, via keypad, keyboard or similar text-entry means;
[0024] Scanned barcode entry, via camera;
[0025] Voice entry, via microphone;
[0026] Automatic download, via electronic medical record or patient portal.
[0027] The Q2Q platform is multilingual; it accepts and delivers
information in multiple
languages via text or voice input. It also translates information into various
languages using the
Google Translate API. In some embodiments, the language used for information
entry is
specified by the user; in other embodiments the language is recognized by the
program in the
app. One skilled in the art understands that information typed, scanned,
spoken, or downloaded
may be interpreted by a program to determine the language of the information.
Once the
language of the information is determined, data is output in the same
language. Alternatively a
user may choose to have that data translated to another language.
[0028] Q2Q uses artificial intelligence (Al) to analyze entered data, such
as patient history,
to interpret and extract values. Entered data is captured in a database. It
uses character and voice
recognition to extract relevant values from photographs of patient lab reports
and verbal
inquiries; analyzes extracted data; and presents information in user-friendly
graphical elements.
[0029] One skilled in the art understands the ability of Alto recognize
spoken words,
scanned images, or text and convert the information to a machine-readable
medium.
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[0030] In another iteration of the embodiment, data entered into the app by
the
aforementioned methods is analyzed and converted into a simplified visual
display of a patient's
medical history, represented by text, graphic elements and audio prompts.
[0031] Through a text-messaging component, the app communicates alerts to a
user's
specified responsible parties (such as family members or friends). An example
of data
communicated would be warnings of high blood pressure or low blood-glucose
levels or of a
dangerous drug interaction. This feature may be activated at the user's
discretion.
[0032] Other objects and features will become apparent from the following
detailed
description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Drawings
are intended
to illustrate rather than define the limits of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] To assist those of skill in the art in making and using the
disclosed invention and
associated methods, FIGS. 1 ¨ 5 show the user interfaces of an example
embodiment of the
present disclosure, as shown displayed on a provided smartphone.
[0034] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a user interface screen as shown displayed
on a provided
smartphone.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a plan view of three related user interface screens.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a plan view of three related user interface screens.
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[0037] FIG. 4 is a plan view of three related user interface screens with a
graphic display
interpreting results of entered data.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a plan view of three related user interface screens
showing interpreted
results of entered data.
[0039] FIGSs. 6 ¨ 13 show the user interfaces of a second example
embodiment of the
present disclosure, as shown displayed on a provided smartphone.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a user interface screen of a second
embodiment of the
disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 7 is a plan view of three related user interface screens of the
embodiment of
FIG. 6.
[0042] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing results of user-entered information of
FIG. 6.
[0043] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a user interface screen of the embodiment
of FIG. 6 in which
an example of a search result appears.
[0044] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing translation options (at the top of
the screen) of a user-
interface screen of the embodiment of FIG. 6.
[0045] FIG. 11 is a plan view of a text-magnify option (at the top of the
screen) of the
user-interface screen of the embodiment of FIG. 6.
[0046] FIG. 12 is a plan view of an interpretation feature of the user-
interface screens of the
embodiment of FIG. 6.
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[0047] FIG. 13 is a plan view of an interaction checker of the user-
interface screen of the
embodiment of FIG. 6.
[0048] FIG.s 14-16 are flowchart views of user interaction with an
iteration of the
embodiment.
[0049] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of user interaction with the embodiment.
[0050] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of user interaction with the embodiment.
[0051] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of user interaction with the embodiment.
[0052] FIG.s 17-20 are flowchart views of user interaction with an
iteration of the
embodiment.
[0053] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of user interaction with an iteration of the
embodiment.
[0054] FIG. 18 is a flowchart of user interaction with an iteration of the
embodiment.
[0055] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of user interaction with an iteration of the
embodiment.
[0056] FIG. 20 is a flowchart of user interaction with an iteration of the
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION
[0057] In an embodiment 100, FIG. 1 shows the app's initial screen 110 for
choosing a
primary language, in this case English 136.
[0058] FIG. 2 shows the start 112 of a program. A program-feature choice
138 has been
selected. A specific health value 140 is selected from the health-value
selector 114, giving the
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further option of selecting a mode selector for entering data 116. Options for
entering data are
manual entry 142; scanned entry 144; and spoken entry 146.
[0059] FIG. 3 shows the app's manual-entry option 118 and a specific manual-
entry example
148, 150. A scan-entry option 120 is shown on another app screen. In this
case, for example, the
user has scanned their lab results 152. A voice-entry option 122 is shown in a
third app screen. In
this case the user has spoken an entry 154.
[0060] FIG. 4 shows a graphic display 124 interpreting results of entered
data. A graphic
design shows a high blood pressure 160 and a button for more information 156
and another
button 158 with suggested action steps. Selecting a button for more
information 156 brings up
information about the chosen topic 126. Selecting the "Action Steps" button
158 returns
suggested action steps 128.
[0061] FIG. 5 shows a graphic display 130 interpreting results of entered
data, in which a
graphic design interprets results of entered data for, example, LDL
cholesterol 160 and
triglycerides 132. The third illustration shows a navigation screen 134 for
viewing historical data
164.
[0062] In a second iteration 200, FIG. 6, a user may select from various
medication-entry
methods 210 including manual medication entry 234, photograph entry 236 or
barcode-scan
entry 238.
[0063] FIG. 7 200 shows screens that are the result of each choice. In the
manual medication
entry screen 212 the user types a medication or drug using an on-screen
keyboard. In the camera-
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entry screen 214 the user has taken a picture of a medication label. In the
scanned-barcode entry
screen 216 the user scans a medication via their (provided) smartphone's
camera.
[0064] FIG. 8 200 shows a manual-entry result screen 218.
[0065] FIG. 9 200 shows an example of a search result 220.
[0066] FIG. 10 200 shows the translation screen 222, where one may choose
to translate
indications and usage 240; dosage and administration 242; dosage forms and
strengths 244; or
warnings and precautions 246.
[0067] FIG. 11 200 shows the text-magnify option 224 in which options 248,
250, 252 are
shown magnified.
[0068] FIG. 12 200 shows the option to request entered information to be
explained in
simple terms 226. The information that was entered 256 may be simplified by
tapping an
explanation button 254. Once that button is tapped, the entered information is
re-interpreted in
simplified terms 228.
[0069] FIG. 13 200 shows an interaction checker 230 with example
medications 260, 262
entered and interactions 258 determined.
[0070] In FIG. 14 200, a flowchart illustrates the progression of steps
from a user's
perspective. Upon opening the app 264 on their device, a user selects a
language 266. From there
they choose from three branches 268 to obtain medical information. Branch 1,
"Health Values"
270, leads to an input screen (FIG. 15) for entering values such as blood
pressure, cholesterol,
etc.; Branch 2 (FIG 14) "Medication Assistant" 274, leads to an input screen
(FIG. 16) for
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entering medications; and a third branch (FIG 14) 278 leads to a patient-
portal connection which
connects to a patient's EHR portal, where users enter their credentials to
access their medical
record 280. (Branch 3 is not illustrated further).
[0071] The flowchart in FIG. 15 200 illustrates results of choosing the
first branch, "Health
Values" numeral 1, 211. The dashboard 213 loads, showing the user's previous
entries. In some
embodiments, the app checks for connection to a patient portal and if found,
allows the patient to
log in to retrieve electronic health record information such as recent visits.
The user enters a
value to be interpreted 215, for example blood pressure, cholesterol, or other
data 217. Options
for input include manual input 219, in which the user types a value 225;
camera-scan 221, in
which the user employs the (provided) camera app on their smartphone to
photograph or import
227 a photograph of, for example, lab values; and voice entry 223, wherein the
user speaks
information 229 into their smartphone using the smartphone's provided voice
app. Once the
health data is entered, the app generates information about each entry 231,
interpreting results via
a graphic design such as a dial 231, or as text; or in the form of an
educational video 235 or a
video of action steps 237. In instances of potentially dangerous interactions,
the app emits a
warning sound 236. Subsequent options include re-entering a corrected value
233 to start the
process again.
[0072] The flowchart in FIG. 16 200 shows events after the user chooses the
"Medication
Assistant" branch 2, 241. The dashboard 243 loads, showing the user's current
medications and
other drugs. In some embodiments, the app checks for connection to a patient
portal and if found,
allows the patient to log in to retrieve electronic health record information
such as recent visits.
The user enters a medication or substance to be interpreted 245. Options for
input include
manual input 247, in which the user types 253 the name of the medication, drug
or substance;
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camera-scan 249, in which the user employs the (provided) camera app on their
smartphone to
photograph or import 255 a photograph of a medication label; and barcode-scan
251, in which a
user scans the barcode 257 on their over-the-counter medication using the
app's barcode-
scanning feature into their smartphone using the smartphone's provided voice
app. Once a
medication or substance is entered, the app seeks confirmation 259. If
incorrect, the app re-routes
261 to the medication-entry step 245. If the entered medication or substance
is confirmed by the
user as correct, the app generates information about that medication or
substance 263 including
indications; values and types of dosage; administration; contraindications;
precautions and
warnings; and comparable medication alternatives. If the entered medication or
substance has
contraindications or possible interactions with their current medications, a
pop-up box 265 will
appear with this information. If an interaction or contraindication is
dangerous, the app will emit
a warning sound. Users may adjust the text size 267 of the generated results
by using a graphical
slider. They may add 269 this medication to a list of current medications.
[0073] FIG. 17 illustrates a third example iteration, 300. Upon opening the
app on their
device a user selects a language 312 and a text size 314, bringing them to a
"Get Started"
window 316. From there the user may choose from three branches to obtain
medical information.
Branch 1, "Health Values" 318, leads to an input screen (FIG. 18) for entering
values such as
blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. Branch 2, "Medication Assistant," FIG. 17,
320 leads to an
input screen that starts a process (FIG. 19) for obtaining medication
information. Branch 3, "Diet
Assistant" FIG 17, 322 leads to an input screen that starts a process by which
the user can check
food and drug interactions.
[0074] In FIG. 18, 300 a "Health Values" branch 1, 330 illustrates the
interpretation of user-
entered health data. The dashboard 332 loads, showing the user's previous
entries. In some
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embodiments, the app checks for connection to a patient portal and if found,
allows the patient to
log in to retrieve electronic health record information such as recent visits.
The user enters a
value to be interpreted 334, for example blood pressure, cholesterol, or other
data 336. Options
for input include manual input 338, in which the user types a value 344;
camera-scan 340, in
which the user employs the (provided) camera app on their smartphone to
photograph or import
346 a photograph of, for example, lab values; and voice entry 342, wherein the
user speaks
information 348 into their smartphone using the smartphone's provided voice
app. Once the
health data is entered, the app generates information about each entry,
interpreting results via a
graphic design such as a dial 350, or as text; or in the form of an
educational video 354 or a
video of action steps 356. If a health-data level is dangerous, the app will
emit a warning sound
355. Subsequent options include re-entering a corrected value 352 to restart
the process.
[0075] FIG. 19, 300 shows events after the user chooses the "Medication
Assistant" branch
2, 360. The dashboard 364 loads, showing the user's current medications. In
some embodiments,
the app checks for connection to a patient portal and if found, allows the
patient to log in to
retrieve electronic health record information such as recent visits. The user
enters a medication
or substance to be interpreted 366. Options for input include manual input
368, in which the user
types 374 the name of the medication; camera-scan 370, in which the user
employs the
(provided) camera app on their smartphone to photograph or import 376 a
photograph of a
medication label; and barcode-scan 372, in which a user scans the barcode 378
on their over-the-
counter medication using the app's barcode-scanning feature. Once a medication
is entered, the
app seeks confirmation 380. If incorrect, the app re-routes 382 to the
medication-entry step 366.
If the entered medication/substance is confirmed by the user as correct 380,
the app generates
information about that medication/substance 384 including indications; values
and types of
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dosage; administration; contraindications; precautions and warnings; and
comparable medication
alternatives (for example, if there is an interaction with acetaminophen, the
app suggests
ibuprofen). If the entered medication/substance has contraindications or
possible interactions
with their current medications, a pop-up box 386 will appear with this
information. Users may
adjust the text size 388 of the generated results by using a graphical slider.
They may add 390
this medication to list of current medications.
[0076] FIG 20, 300 illustrates events after the user chooses the "Diet
Assistant" branch 3,
311. The dashboard 313 loads, showing the user's caloric intake for a defined
duration, as well
as relevant data on fat, cholesterol, sodium and other intake. The user enters
a food 315 in one of
two ways: manual input 317, in which the user types 321 the name of the food;
or barcode-scan
319, in which the user scans the barcode 323 of their food product using the
app's barcode-
scanning feature. Once a food is entered, the app presents an image of the
entered food 325 for
confirmation. If incorrect, the app re-routes 327 to the food-entry step 315.
If the entered food is
confirmed by the user as correct 325, the user chooses the generated image and
a dietary
information page 329 opens, which verifies serving size and other dietary
information. An option
appears 335 to add dietary information to a daily sum for values relevant to
medical history. If
the entered food contains allergens or is commonly processed with known
allergens, the app
generates an allergy warning 331. If the entered food contains ingredients
that may interact with
the user's current medications a drug interaction warning 333 appears.
Concurrent with these
options is an option to add a new food 337 to begin the Diet Assistant process
on that entry.
[0077] In all the above iterations (100 ¨ 300), a menu icon appears at all
times at a corner of
each screen, allowing any of these options at any point: "Home" to return to
the Get Started
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page; "Profile" to return to the dashboard; "Add Medication" to return to the
Medication
Assistant; or "Back" to return to the previously visited page.
[0078] These embodiments are understood to be exemplary and not limiting.
Additions and
modifications to what is expressly described here are understood to be
included within the scope
of the invention. The features of the various embodiments described here are
not mutually
exclusive and can exist in various combinations and permutations, even if such
combinations or
permutations are not made express here, without departing from the spirit and
scope of the
invention.
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